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Maria Ciofani

Associate Professor of Integrative Immunobiology
Integrative Immunobiology
128 Jones Bldg, 207 Researchr, 3010 DUMC, Durham, NC 27710

Overview


Transcriptional Regulation of Proinflammatory Lymphocytes

IL-17-expressing CD4 T helper (Th17) cells are important members of the intestinal immune cell community that contribute to protection against bacterial and fungal infections, and maintenance of intestinal homeostasis.  Although central to immunity, dysregulted Th17 cell function has been implicated in tissue inflammation and autoimmune disease (e.g. Inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis, and multiple sclerosis).  In order to understand this balance between healthy and pathogenic responses, we are interested in defining the transcriptional regulatory mechanisms that govern (1) Th17 cell specification from naive T cell precursors and, (2) Th17 cell effector plasticity during inflammation.  Combining genome-wide interrogation of regulatory information (transcription factor occupancy, chromatin accessibility, and transcriptional output) with gene-deficiency models in mice, we can dissect the contribution of key transcriptional regulators in proinflammatory T cell function.



We currently have open positions for students, postdoctoral fellows and a research technician.


Current Appointments & Affiliations


Associate Professor of Integrative Immunobiology · 2020 - Present Integrative Immunobiology, Basic Science Departments
Associate Professor of Cell Biology · 2022 - Present Cell Biology, Basic Science Departments
Member of the Duke Cancer Institute · 2013 - Present Duke Cancer Institute, Institutes and Centers

In the News


Published October 16, 2023
Surprise Discovery Reveals Key Factor in Multiple Sclerosis
Published October 1, 2014
Maria Ciofani: Solving the Immune System’s Identity Crisis

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Recent Publications


Progressively differentiated T<sub>FH</sub>13 cells are stabilized by JunB to mediate allergen germinal center responses.

Journal Article Nature immunology · March 2025 Allergic diseases are common and affect a large proportion of the population. Interleukin-13 (IL-13)-expressing follicular helper T (TFH13) cells are a newly identified population of TFH cells that have been associated with high-affin ... Full text Cite

Structure-guided design and synthesis of C22- and C32-modified FK520 analogs with enhanced activity against human pathogenic fungi.

Journal Article Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A · January 7, 2025 Invasive fungal infections are a leading cause of death worldwide. Translating molecular insights into clinical benefits is challenging because fungal pathogens and their hosts share similar eukaryotic physiology. Consequently, current antifungal treatment ... Full text Link to item Cite
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Recent Grants


Tri-Institutional Molecular Mycology and Pathogenesis Training Program

Inst. Training Prgm or CMEMentor · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2024 - 2029

Mitigating Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury to Reduce Early Damage to Intestinal Allografts

ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by North Carolina State University · 2024 - 2028

Bidirectional control of keratinocyte differentiation and proliferation by transcription factor FOXQ1

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2023 - 2028

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Education, Training & Certifications


University of Toronto (Canada) · 2007 Ph.D.